Yes

Yeah, they do, but if you read the screens when you signed up, they tell you that they do. If you don't want it after it's been auto-renewed, send a message to staff using the "Help & Support" link at the bottom of the page, they will help you out.

No need to contact staff.

To end premium membership see here  http://support.chess.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/76/0/how-can-i-end-my-premium-membership-subscription (link updated 2011 06 01) without asking for a refund. You can do this immediately after paying so there is no auto-renew. You will be reminded at the appropriate time to manually renew.

If closing an account see   http://support.chess.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/2/0/how-do-i-close--delete-my-account  (link updated 2011 06 01)

Hey bflat

To cancel the payments so they don't renew, there is a link at the top of this page

http://www.chess.com/home/account.html

It lets you cancel the renewal but you still have your account here.

I PAID MY DIAMOND MEMBERSHIP $ 98.33 ON APRIL 4, 2011  CHESS.COM  0800318.

HOW COME I HAVE BEEN PAUSED AND CANNOT GET BACK TO MY GAMES?

You have no games, and you've been a member since June 28, 2011.

Try dyrhauge31    :)